Multiple torpedo



March 23, 1943.

M. 1.. MQNIES.

, MULTIPLE TORPEDO Filed March 31, 1942 Patented Mar. 23, 1943- UN iTE s The invention relates to multiple torpedoes for discharge from naval surface vessels or fromaeroplanes, and the primary object of the invention is to provide means whereby a number of torpedoes rnay be discharged at a target simultaneously and travel toward the target in a coordinated manner, and spread out when. ap-' proaching the target so as to increase the chances of striking the target and securing multiple torpedo hits thereon.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description taken in connection with the appended drawing, wherein for pur-\ poses of illustration a preferred the invention is shown.-

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a general schematic view in top plan showing a multiple torpedo in accordance with the invention traveling toward a target and spreading out upon approaching the target.

embodiment of Figure 2 is a side elevational view of one of the multiple torpedoes showing the cable drum mounted thereon. v

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken through one of the cable drums and its mountings on the torpedo. Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken through-Figure 3 along the line 4-6.

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken through the center torpedo of pedo 1, is providedat a forward portion thereof' in a position to clear the'torpedo tube 8 with an encircling band 9 which has lugs l0 through which a clamping bolt II is extended to clamp the band on the outside of the torpedo. Diametrically opposite points of the band 9 have cable attaching eyes l2 and I3, respectively,

which are located in a horizontal plane.

The left hand torpedo 6 and the right hand torpedo l have similarly clamped thereon the bands M which are similar except that the band on the left hand torpedo carries a cable 'drum I! at its right hand side, while the right hand torpedo 1 carries the cable drum It" on its hand It at the left hand side thereof. The cables 16 and i6 connecting the left hand torpedo G and the center torpedo 5 and connecting the right hand torpedo I and the center torpedo 5 are connected in any suitable manner to the eyes i2 and I3 on the opposite sides of the centeror middle torpedo. The outer ends of the cables l6 and I6 are wound on the drums l5 and I5 with the terminals thereof attached to the middle of the drum at approximately the same plane as the eyes I2 and ii! on the middle torpedo, so as to avoid any over-balancing of the torpedoes in transit. Y

The drums l5 and i5 are similar, each comprising upper and lower similar but reversed brackets l1 and I8 which are generally triangular'in cross section and are suitably connected by bolts l9 or. by other suitable fastening means to the band M which encircles the torpedo as shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing. Have I ing its opposite ends journaled in sockets in the outer ends of the'brackets H and I8 is the axle 20 which is held in place non-rotatably by suitable keys or pins 2|.- The drum per se which is designated 22 comprises the cylindrical portion 23 and the similar disk-like heads 24 which have angulated faces 25. In the lower head 241s a fiat cylindrical chamber 26 whose peripheral wall is formed with teeth 21, the open bottom of this recess being closed by a plate 28 which fits closely on the axle 20 and is suitably secured to the drum.

Pinned as indicated by the numeral 29 to the axle 20 within the recess 26 is the inne'r end 30 of a spiral flat spring 3| whichhas its outer terminal 82 conformably shaped to fit between any .two of the teeth 21 and be temporarily held in position by this engagement. The spring 3| is coiled in such a direction that as the torpedoes I are fired from the torpedo tubes 8 the cables 16 and I6 will be fully wound on the drums l5- with a. limited amount of tension on the spiral springs 3|. As the torpedoes travel toward the target and some tension is naturally exerted from the cables due to slight deflections in the courses of the torpedoes. the springs 3| will be tensioned,

so as to cause the terminal 32 to more firmly engage the teeth 21 until a point is reached in the winding of the springs whereat the tension of the springs is such as to cause the terminal 32 to jump along the teeth 21 and thereby permit a. corresponding amount of the cables l8 and IE to pay out -and allow e torpedoes to separate in opposite'directions wit respect to the middle torpedo 5. The spring arrangements in the drum and the teeth 21 are so proportioned and is obvious that the torpedoes, in the event of an approach such as is illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing will achieve multiple spaced hits on the target vessel 32 at much more widely spaced points than the points of discharge from the torpedo tubes 8 on the attacking vessel or plane 33.

It will also be obvious that in the event that the triple torpedo disclosed herein strikes the target vessel near either end thereof, the target vessel will engage one of the cables l6, and Hi, so as to cause the triple torpedo to wrap around the end 0! the vessel, and all 01' the torpedoes may take effect on the target vessel simultaneously or successively.

Although there is shown and described herein a preferred embodiment of the invention-it is to bedeflnitely understood that it is not desired to limit the application of the invention thereto,

except as may be required by the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A triple torpedo assembly adapted for discharge simultaneously from triple torpedo tubes and comprising a middle torpedo, and right and left hand torpedoes, respectively, and means to yleldingly couple said pair or torpedoes to opposite sides of the middle torpedo, respectively, for travel or said pair in divergent paths relative to the path of travel of the middle torpedo, said means comprising a pair of drums rotatably mounted on said pair of torpedoes, respectively, flexible elements wound on said drums and connected to said opposite sides of the middle torpedo and adapted to be unwound under pull exerted thereon from said drums, and devices in said drums for yieldingly opposing rotation thereof in directions to unwind said elements and in variable degree under pull in varied degree on said flexible elements, said devices comprising ratchet teeth,'and helical springs provided with tooth dogging ends.

MARTIN L. MONIES. 

